Thanksgiving Tips and Tricks on Your iPad

November is about one thing, and one thing only: Thanksgiving. Whether you celebrate with family across the country, throw a potluck with your friends, practice gratitude, or just want to make a silly paper turkey with construction paper, everyone loves Thanksgiving. I dare you to find one person who can’t find a little joy in a big plate of creamy mashed potatoes and turkey (or Tofurkey, for all our vegetarian and vegan readers).

There are so many tools out there that can help you plan your best Thanksgiving ever, especially your iPad! Welcome the holiday season with some of our favorite seasonal apps.

Thanksgiving Menu Maker from Fine Cooking • iOS App (Free)    

Sweet potatoes or yams? Canned cranberry sauce or homemade? Everyone does Thanksgiving differently and there’s never one sure way to do it. Take the stress out of planning your Thanksgiving menu with this free app for your iPad. First, pick your recipes. Recipes are divided by course, including Starters, Main Dishes, Sides, and Desserts. Experiment with different turkey variations, try a new side dish recipe, and fill your entire table with delectable Thanksgiving fare. Once you’ve assembled the perfect menu, the Thanksgiving Menu Maker will create a shopping list for you so know exactly what you’ll need to purchase. Bring your iPad with you and check off items as you go. After you’ve assembled your ingredients, check out your menu’s schedule to see what dishes you can make ahead of time. From start to finish, this free iOS app will help you create the best Thanksgiving menu your family has ever seen.

Bonus features include wine pairings, turkey tips, how-to videos, Thanksgiving 911, and more!

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Spook-tacular Apps for the iPad

The leaves are changing, kids are back in school, and people are carving pumpkins left and right. That’s right, it’s finally fall! Autumn marks the return of everyone’s favorite holiday, Halloween. You’re never to old to celebrate, whether you’re dressing up with your little ones, throwing a spooky Halloween bash, or simply playing games with ghosts and ghouls. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite tricks and treats you can use on your iPhone or iPad. Read on… if you dare…

DIY Costume Ideas • LilLuna.com

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Lil Luna has gathered some of her favorite DIY costume tutorials on the net. Searching for a cute couples’ costume? Try Mary Poppins and Bert on for size. Want to put your family’s nerd cred on display? Put your tot in an Ewok costume. Whether you’ve got babies and toddlers, teenagers, or just want to make something for yourself, there’s something for everyone. Lil Luna’s blog is a great resource – get inspired and get crafting!

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Wherefore art thou iPad?: Studying Shakespeare with Apps

If there’s any storyteller whose works are recreated again and again, it’s William Shakespeare. Each year there are films born out of his plays. While some are retold in another time period or loosely based on a particular Shakespearean arc, many, like this month’s upcoming Romeo and Juliet adaptation, use his famous rhymes. Though the tragic teen lovebirds’ tale is arguably the most popular of the Bard’s works, each has something magnificent to offer. In honor of the latest interpretation, here are some of the best apps for enjoying and understanding Shakespeare’s masterpieces from a variety of angles using your iPad.

SwipeSpeare from BookCaps – iPad App (Free)

Sometimes it’s difficult for a Shakespeare novice to fully grasp his meaning… you have to learn the lingo first. Luckily, there’s SwipeSpeare, the app that does it exactly what its name implies. Take a look at a passage of Shakespeare, then simply swipe to see a modernized translation. Swipe again and it will change back! That’s not all, though. SwipeSpeare also includes a free, searchable Shakespeare dictionary, biography, a Swipeable copy of Romeo and Juliet, original and modernized versions of the major Shakespeare plays, as well as accompanying study guides and lesson plans.

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